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Classical & Archaeological Studies

Research Seminars 2009–2010

29 September, 7.30 pm, Grimmond Lecture Theatre 1

Dr Paul Bennett, Canterbury Archaeological Trust

‘Recent Archaeological Work in Kent’

15 October, 6.00 pm, Cornwallis NW SR12

Dr Dries Tys, Free University Brussels

‘Seen and unseen: maritime societies, their hinterland relations and the origin of Antwerp and Bruges, between the 7th and 12th centuries’

4 November, 5.15 pm, KLT5

Professor Judith Herrin, King’s College London

‘What is Byzantium?’

2 December, 4.00 pm, Cornwallis NW SR12

Professor Philip Betancourt, University of Pennsylvania and Temple University

‘Excavations at the Early Minoan I hilltop of Aphrodite’s Kephali, in eastern Crete’

All welcome.

For a map of the campus and directions to the University of Kent please see: http://www.kent.ac.uk/maps/canterbury/downloads.html.

For Further information please contact Efrosyni Boutsikas (E.Boutsikas AT kent.ac.uk)

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RECEPTION AND THE GIFT OF BEAUTY in the Western Tradition

Institute of Greece, Rome, and the Classical Tradition, University of
Bristol
8-9 July 2010

Keynote Speaker: Professor William Desmond, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

This conference brings together two theories of interpretation, one now
well-established in literary studies–reception theory– and one still to
be developed in literary theory although being familiar in social science
and philosophy – gift theory.
We believe that the dialogue between reception theory and gift theory will
create openings for a recognition of the problem of beauty. Since beauty is
among the most contested concepts in literary studies, we encourage
dialogue and debate between the papers and amongst the participants.
‘
In Cicero’s skeptical consideration of divination, the perception and
reception of natural beauty involves the compulsion to respond which is
characteristic of gift-exchange: ‘…the order of celestial things and the
beauty of the universe compel me to confess that there is some excellent
and eternal Being which deserves the respect and homage of the human race.’
As well as the compulsion to reciprocate, gift-theory offers other ideas
important to the perception and creation of beauty in texts.

Proposals for papers for this conference are warmly welcomed.
Topics could include:

– gift-exchange dramatized in discourses of sacrifice or friendship
-translation or allusion as modes of exchanging beauty
– excess, decadence, and hyperbole: rhetorical copia and responses to
beauty
-vision, illumination as the gift of knowledge, and appearances as seeing
and being
seen in Plato and the Platonic tradition
– the sublime, ancient and modern
-the perception and construction of ‘decus’ as both beauty and glory in
evocations of
patronage situations or monuments
– l’écriture féminine, composition as gift, and beauty and the body

This conference is part of the ‘Thinking Reciprocity’ series and will be
followed immediately by the conference ‘Desiring the Text, Touching the
Past: Towards an Erotics of Reception’ (Bristol, 10 July 2010). Reduced
fees will be offered to people attending both conferences.

Papers should be no more than 30 minutes in length. Abstracts should be
submitted by 1 February 2010 and should be 300 words long. If you have any
queries or wish to submit an abstract, please contact Stephen D’Evelyn at:
giftofbeautyconference AT googlemail.com

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University of Exeter Classics and Ancient History Department Research Seminars – Autumn Term 2009.

Seminars are held on Thursdays at 4 pm (to 6pm) in Amory 417, followed by drinks in the Leventis Room (Amory 271), and dinner in the case of visiting speakers. All are welcome to come to the seminars, and also to drinks and dinner. Also included here are two Classical Association lectures, held on Thursdays at 5 pm in Amory 417, also followed by drinks in the Leventis room, to which all are welcome.

Seminar programme for this term: all speakers are staff or postgraduate students in the Department except as indicated.

Those coming from outside Exeter are advised to contact C.J.Gill AT Classics beforehand to make sure the seminar is taking place as scheduled.

Oct 8 2009: Eleanor Dickey: ‘Teaching Elementary Latin in Antiquity’

Oct 15 2009: Matthew Wright: ‘The Tragedian as Critic’.

Oct 22 2009: Matthew Nicholls (University of Reading): ‘Roman Libraries’.

Oct 29 2009: Classical Association Lecture (5 pm): John Wilkins: ‘Aristophanes, Clouds, and Global Warming’.

Nov. 5 2009: Chris Gill: ‘Galen on the Therapy of Emotions’.

Nov. 12 2009: Barbara Borg: ‘Athenian Identity in the First Century BC – Who Cares?’

Nov. 19 2009: Valeria Cinaglia: ‘Emotions, Perception and Understanding: Aristotle and Menander’.

Nov 26 2009: Classical Association Lecture (5 pm): Peter Wiseman:
‘The Fall of the Roman Republic – Was it Cicero’s Fault?’

Dec. 3 2009: ‘Rowan Fraser: The Tragedian and the Art of Supplication’.

Dec 10 2009: Martin Pitts (University of Exeter) and Rebecca Griffin (University of Liverpool):
‘The Impact of Inequality in Late Roman Britain: Connectivity, Materiality and Health Status’